Livesmart

spring 2014 | issue no. 1

how to gUarantee yoUr garDen StartS off on the right foot iMproVe yoUr hoMe anD Diet with a VegetaBle garDen how to Be an eCo-ConSCioUS pet owner

Brazos Valley environmental

awareness events

4 5 8 13 10 awareness 20 events

How to make your exercise routine eco-friendly

College Station program helps families of babies born early

New technology helps local patients with heart rhythm disorder

F E AT UR E

Get kids excited about gardening

Brazos Valley environmental

How to usher your office into the eco-friendly era

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How to make your exercise routine

eco-friendly D

aily exercise is a great way for men and women to stay healthy and improve their quality of life. Studies have shown that men and women who include exercise as part of their regular routine have a lower risk for a host of ailments, including heart disease, stroke and diabetes.

But exercise can benefit the planet as much as it can benefit people. The following are a handful of ways men and women can make their exercise routines more eco-friendly.

• Start riding your bicycle. Riding a bicycle isn’t just for kids, as cycling has been linked to improved cardiovascular fitness and shown to be a great low-impact exercise for men and women with joint conditions. In addition, riding a bicycle is a great way to burn calories, even when riding at a leisurely pace. According to nutrition and fitness company NutriStrategy, a 205 pound adult can expect to burn 372 calories during a 60-minute leisurely bike ride (less than 10 miles per hour), while the same person will burn just 233 calories during a slow walk for the same period of time.

But cycling benefits the planet, too. Riding your bicycle to the gym or to work each day saves fuel and can add years to the life of your vehicle, reducing the costly toll of producing and transporting new vehicles. Cycling has

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even become safer in recent years as more and more people have embraced cycling as a healthy and eco-friendly mode of transportation. For example, bike lanes have become the norm in heavily trafficked New York City, where the bustling metropolis’ transportation department reported a 289 percent increase in cycling from 2001 to 2011. So cycling is not only healthy and environmentally friendly, but it’s becoming safer, as well.

• Avoid bottled water. Whether you’re a competitive athlete or a weekend warrior, you’re going to need to replenish your body’s water supply at some point. Bottled water might seem more convenient in a pinch, but the personal and environmental costs of that convenience is considerable. Bottled water is more expensive than tap water, and those who prefer bottled water because they think it’s healthier than tap water should know that 70 percent of the bottled water produced in the United States never crosses state lines for sale, which means it’s exempt from oversight by the Food and Drug Administration. So there is no guarantee that bottled water is any different from the water coming from your tap.

But bottled water also hurts the environment, producing more than a ton of plastic waste each year. And according to Food & Water Watch,

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a watchdog organization that works to ensure the water we consume is safe, the plastic used in water bottles requires 47 million gallons of oil per year to produce. A reusable water bottle is a far more eco-friendly way to stay hydrated while you exercise.

• Wear recycled gear. Athletes have numerous options at their disposal with regard to apparel.

But not all apparel is created equal. According to Athletes For A Fit Planet, a vast majority of technical apparel is created from polyester, a material derived from petroleum. But many clothing manufacturers now produce apparel and gear made from recycled polyester apparel, and labels typically list whether or not a given product is made from such recycled materials.

Athletes who want to go the extra mile regarding their apparel can recycle their used items when they are no longer up to snuff.

Contact a local recycling center to learn about programs in your community, or visit an athletic apparel retailer and ask for their help.

Making exercise a part of your daily routine is a great way to ensure your body stays healthy for years to come. Making such a routine as eco-friendly as possible can ensure the planet stays as healthy as you.

Foster and Libby Scott enjoy March In before Texas A&M University’s football game against the University of Alabama this fall.

college station program helps families of babies born early

E

arly childbirth usually happens unexpectedly, and while medical professionals are focused on saving a premature baby’s life, the child’s family is often left in a state of distress and confusion, according to March of Dimes and College Station Medical Center officials.

“It’s extremely scary to have a child early,” said Katy Scott, the mother of two children born prematurely and also the community director for the March of Dimes’ Bryan-College Station Division.

“It’s scary enough to have a healthy baby.”

One in every 10 babies born in the United States is admitted to a neonatal intensive care unit (NICU) because they are born too soon, too small or with a birth defect or another medical condition, according to the March of Dimes, the leading non-profit organization for pregnancy and baby health. That’s where the March of Dimes NICU Family Support program comes in to help.

College Station Medical Center partnered with March of Dimes to provide the program beginning in early January, and the hospital officially launched the program on March 6. The NICU Family Support program provides information and comfort to families of babies in the NICU and professional development for hospital staff to help them support families.

“The NICU can be a daunting and confusing experience for parents who must quickly adjust to the uncertainty that a newborn baby with health issues can bring,” College Station Medical Center spokesman Russell Mariott said. “All too often with a sick baby, care is focused specifically on the child, without consideration of the well-being of the family as a whole and how they may be able to take an active role in the recovery of their newborn.”

Through the program, parents with a baby in the College Station Medical Center’s NICU have access to high-quality educational materials, both in print and online. The materials are geared toward families of NICU babies, and explain the role of hospital staff, equipment, procedures they may encounter in the NICU and how to care for their baby in the hospital and through the transition to bringing a baby home.

Through the March of Dimes’ “Share Your Story” section on its website, families can get support from other families in similar situations, too. too early Scott, who began her job with March of Dimes about a year ago, is passionate about the NICU Family Support program. She tells about the births of her children, an 11-year-old daughter and 8-yearold son, with tears in her eyes.

“Like so many parents, the thought of having

By sHAUNA leWis the eagle

a premature baby never entered into our minds,” Scott said. “We suffered a miscarriage early on in a previous pregnancy, so we worried a little about that, but never about giving birth prematurely."

When she had her first child, she lived on a ranch in Robertson County, about a 45-minute drive from the nearest hospital. Scott said she was healthy, and had been taking her prenatal vitamins and going to regular check-ups. However, one night in her 30th week of pregnancy, she started bleeding badly, and she and her husband, Erik, knew something was wrong.

After a call to 911, she was taken by ambulance to College Station Medical Center, where she found out she was 8 centimeters dilated and bleeding profusely.

Her placenta had abrupted. Later Scott’s doctor told her and her husband that if they had waited another 10 to 15 minutes to call for help, she and the baby would have died.

Scott gave birth to Elizabeth “Libby” Scott 10 weeks early; the baby weighed 3 pounds, 6 ounces.

Because medical staff worked so quickly to save the mother and baby, the child wasn’t able to get the surfactant she needed and therefore had some major respiratory problems, she said. Premature babies are at risk for many medical complications, and one of the most common is respiratory distress syndrome (RDS), according to the March of Dimes.

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Counterclockwise, from upper left: Katy Scott bonds with her son, Foster at the Texas Children’s Hospital NICU in Houston shortly after his premature birth.

Libby Scott recovers from an early birth at the Texas Children’s Hospital NICU for about six and a half weeks.

From left to right: Libby, Katy, Foster and Erik Scott recently pose for a photo with their dog, Bingham.

The College Station Medical Center NICU unit has halls painted to look like a nursery, as well as private rooms for babies (right center) and mothers (upper right).

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Babies with RDS struggle to breathe because their immature lungs do not produce enough surfactant, a protein that keeps small air sacs in the lungs from collapsing.

Because of her respiratory problems, Scott’s daughter was life-flighted to Texas Children’s Hospital in Houston, where she spent the next six and a half weeks. At the time, College Station Medical Center did not have an NICU. Scott said the baby’s time at Texas Children’s was difficult, with the couple often separated. She was at the hospital praying for her baby to breathe, and he was working at their ranch. Scott was told at one point that her daughter had severe hearing loss and that she could also go blind.

“It was a very lonely and stressful time, one that we got through only through prayer and leaning on each other for support,” she said.

Between her first and second birthdays, Libby had 13 febrile seizures, prompting her parents to sell their ranch and move to College Station to be closer to College Station Medical Center.

Scott said she and her husband were determined to have more children, but never expected another early childbirth. However, after nearly five weeks of bed rest during her second pregnancy, she gave birth 12 weeks early to their son, John Foster “Foster.”

She went to the hospital during labor, and when she arrived, her doctor had just left for the night. She was 1 centimeter dilated, and was told she’d be in the hospital for a while. But within hours, she was at 8 centimeters, and her placenta abrupted again. Foster was born weighing 2 pounds, 10 ounces.

The baby was immediately life-flighted to Texas Children’s Hospital, Scott said, before she got to see him. This was confusing for 2-and-a-half-year-old Libby and also difficult for Scott and her husband, who felt guilty because he hadn’t yet bonded with the baby.

This time, because of her high-risk pregnancy and March of Dimes research, Foster had received all the surfactant he needed to develop his lungs while in the womb. He was intubated for a short time and only on oxygen for a few days. He stayed in the NICU for almost 10 weeks, although he was healthy for his size. During that time, Libby stayed at home with her father, Scott remained at the hospital with her new baby, and Thanksgiving, Christmas and New Year’s passed.

Scott said it cost more than $1 million for each of her children’s births, and she and her husband are still working to pay off that debt. The cost of a full-

term pregnancy is about $56,000. Her children are now both healthy, although they wear glasses and Libby has slight hearing loss.

When she began her job with March of Dimes, her goal was to get NICU support locally. She said such a program would have calmed her during her two chaotic childbirths, and the literature – in easyto-understand terms for people who aren’t medical professionals -- would have helped her to understand what was happening.

“You can’t plan for this,” she said. “It just happens out of nowhere. As a parent, you just have to have faith, and you have to have interaction with your child.”

Sherri Welch, the hospital’s chief nursing officer, said there usually aren’t signs that a birth will be premature. It can happen because of drug abuse, but it also happens to healthy women.

“Our ambassador mom sneezed, and her water broke,” Scott noted.

Scott was referring to Misty Johnson, March of Dimes’ 2014 Brazos Valley ambassador. In 2010, Johnson went to the hospital for a routine checkup and glucose test. While there she sneezed, and her water broke – 13 weeks early. She gave birth to a boy who was 2 pounds, 4 ounces. After recovering from medical problems and eight weeks in the NICU, her child was able to go home. He is now a healthy boy, with no signs of being born early.

College Station’s NICU College Station Medical Center was the first in the area to have an NICU when it opened in December 2005, according to hospital officials. Before it was available, the nearest NICUs to the College Station area were in Austin, Temple or Houston. In 2010, College Station Medical Center expanded its NICU to have all private rooms. It also has transition rooms for mothers and babies to be together before going home.

Now, St. Joseph Hospital also has an NICU, though College Station Medical Center has the only Level III NICU in the Bryan-College Station area.

At Level III, a hospital can treat babies born earlier than 30 weeks.

Scott said having a NICU nearby saves families the hassle of driving back and forth to an out-oftown unit, which comes with the expenses of gas and food. Such expenses contributed to her “million dollar babies,” she said. Scott said she also wanted to stay close to her babies during their NICU stays, in case she needed to be there.

Having a private room for babies in the NICU

is nice, too, because it provides privacy to mothers while nursing and also other family members, Scott said. She remembers going to see one of her babies in an open bay NICU, and feeling guilty as she witnessed a family saying bye to a baby who didn’t survive.

For more information on College Station Medical Center, visit www.csmedcenter.com.

More on March of Dimes When U.S. President Franklin D. Roosevelt founded the March of Dimes in 1938, the organization’s main purpose was to research to find a cure for polio. Seventeen years and more than $25 million in research later, the polio vaccine was found to be safe and highly effective.

With its original goal accomplished, the foundation turned to preventing birth defects and infant mortality. The March of Dimes led the way to discover genetic causes of birth defects, to promote newborn screening and to educate medical professionals and the public about the best practices for healthy pregnancy.

For more about March of Dimes and pregnancy information, visit marchofdimes.com or call 979846-3470.

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spring 2014 issue no. 1

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MediGuide Technology, available at Scott & White Hospital — College Station, uses 3-D imaging to help guide a medical catheter into position in a patient’s heart.

New technology helps local patients with heart rhythm disorder

By Holli L. Koster Special to The Eagle

B

efore MediGuide™ Technology, local patients with atrial flutter, a serious heart rhythm disorder, potentially faced hours of surgery and prolonged radiation exposure through x-rays to treat their condition.

In August Scott & White Hospital — College Station became the first hospital in the region and the second in Texas to use the new heart surgery tool, which uses 3-D imaging to help guide a medical catheter into position in a patient’s heart, working much like a car’s global positioning system (GPS), according to the hospital.

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Thomas Meade, MD, an electrophysiologist at Scott & White – College Station, said he typically performs 75 to 100 ablations per year on patients with an abnormal heart rhythm, caused by a short circuit in the right atrium.

The short circuit causes the heart’s upper chambers to beat out of sync with the rest of the heart, resulting in ineffective blood flow from the heart. When medication isn’t effective, patients can receive an ablation, a minimallyinvasive procedure (avoiding large incisions) where physicians insert a catheter into a vein

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– much like a wire – and send it through the body to the heart. Once in position, a tip on the catheter uses heat to make tiny scars in precise spots on the surface of the heart, which corrects the impulses that are causing the flutter.

Before MediGuide, Meade said physicians relied on fluoroscopy, an imaging technique that uses x-rays to obtain real-time moving images of the internal structures of a patient to see where electrode catheters are in a patient’s heart.

“MediGuide replaces the x-ray system and minimizes the x-ray exposure to the patient,”

Spring Waxing Meade said. “It allows physicians to have a clearer picture of the location where our ablation tool is positioned on the heart, giving us an ability for greater precision.”

Meade said his patients typically can return home the same day or the day immediately following the ablation procedure, during which they are placed under anesthesia. He usually advises patients to stay home and not to do heavy lifting for five to seven days.

Similar to a GPS that automobile drivers use to determine the location of their car on a map, MediGuide has sensors embedded in the catheter devices, allowing physicians to guide the catheter into proper position.

“Patients love the new technology,” Meade said, “and we are really blessed to have such a state-ofthe-art system in our community.”

Carline Gardner, a patient of Meade’s, who had an ablation procedure in September, said she liked that the new equipment reduced radiation exposure.

“I had breast cancer several years ago, and I am always concerned about having radiation,”

said Gardner, 77.

The ablation Meade performed on Gardner was the second she’s had and the first using MediGuide Technology. Gardner said she has had a pacemaker for 10 years, but she recently experienced shortness of breath during a walk.

Gardner went home following the procedure, and said that she has not had problems with her atrial flutter since the ablation.

Chris Lindsey, electrophysiology and catheter lab manager for Scott & White Hospital – College Station, said the reduced exposure to radiation is a benefit both to patients and to medical staff who regularly perform the procedures.

According to the American Heart Association, the collective dose of ionizing radiation that patients annually received during medical tests increased by 600 percent between 1980 and 2006 – a dramatic increase in human exposure to radiation.

Developed by St Jude Medical, MediGuide Technology is less than two years old. For more information, visit www.sjm.com.

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spring 2014 issue no. 1

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Brazos Valley environmental

awareness events

By STACY CANTU Special to The Eagle

E

arth Day will be celebrated in the Bryan/College Station area with several community events that will be held to demonstrate support for environmental protection and awareness.

Earth Day is observed nationwide on April 22, but local celebrations will be starting on April 5.

They include Brazos Valley Earth Day, Big Spring Clean and Trash Bash and Texas Trash-Off. Brazos Valley Earth Day Brazos Valley Earth Day, hosted by the cities of Bryan and College Station, Texas A&M University, Twin Oaks Landfill & Compost Facility, Brazos Valley Council of Governments and Keep Brazos Beautiful, will be held on April 5 from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. at Wolf Pen Creek in College Station.

“Brazos Valley Earth Day makes learning about our Earth and how to be better to our Earth fun and easy,” said Heather Qualls, recycling coordinator for the city of College Station. “It reminds us of what we already know about living sustainably and applying it to our everyday lives. Free attendance, live music and entertainment, education displays and booths, games and obstacles, and having fun outside on a lovely spring day -- it doesn’t get much better than that.”

This event will feature educational booths that highlight recycling, waste reduction, rainwater harvesting, backyard composting, green lawn care techniques, alternative transportation and many more environmental causes. Do-it-yourself tiedye shirts will also be sold, with proceeds going toward a scholarship fund for students attending or planning to attend higher education courses.

There will also be a kids’ zone, which will include an inflatable bounce, inflatable obstacle course and environmental games. Entertainment throughout the day will be provided by Midnight on Main, Critical Misfire, Should Have Been Cowboys and Creek View Elementary Choir.

For more information on the event, visit www. brazosvalleyearthday.com or call 979-764-6229.

Volunteers are also needed to help collect litter, provide refreshments to exhibitors and assist the stage crew. To register to volunteer, call Amy Reed at 979-775-3569.

Big Spring Clean and Trash Bash The Big Spring Clean and Trash Bash

-- sponsored by Burleson County, the City of Caldwell, the City of Somerville and the Burleson County Chamber of Commerce -- will be held from April 5 through April 12. Volunteers will pick up trash throughout Burleson County during the week, and several events will be held on April 5 and April 12. Visit www.BurlesonCountyTx.com/springclean to register to volunteer.

The event will kick off with the Trash Dash 5K run on April 5 at Davidson Creek Park.

Registration will begin at 7:30 a.m., and the run will start at 8 a.m. Pre-registration ends March 31 with an entry fee of $15; after that and on the day of the event, registration is $20. Visit the Big Spring Clean and Trash Bash website to register.

Other events that will be held on April 5 are the Bicycle Rodeo at 9 a.m.; a city-wide garage sale from 7 a.m. to noon; a crawfish boil at 5 p.m. at Porky’s on the square in Caldwell; the Trashin’ Fashion show at 6 p.m.; and the Trash Bash street dance from 7 p.m. to 9 p.m. on the square in downtown Caldwell.

Events that will be held on April 12 include the Lyons EEA plant sale from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m.; The Dr. Robert E. Basye Garden Party, which will be held at Rosewood Manor in Caldwell from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.; and the Earth Day Spring Concert and Awards Ceremony. Reservations must be made to attend the dinner and awards ceremony, which will be held at 7 p.m. at the old Post Office on the square in Caldwell. A featured guest chef will prepare a four-course meal and a specialty dessert. Spring Clean awards will be on display at the reception, and tickets are $50 per person, plus tax and gratuity. For more information or to reserve a table or seats, call the chamber at 979-567-0000.

“The various events not only involve clean up, but beautification projects, as well,” said Brenda Van De Walle, executive director of the Burleson County Chamber of Commerce. “The street dance is a favorite with live music and a crawfish boil. The Earth Day dinner and concert is a real treat with a private chef, four-course meal and live music.”

Texas Trash-Off Texas Trash-Off will be held from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. on April 12. During this event, volunteers will participate on teams by assisting with litter

removal at designated areas throughout the Bryan-College Station area. The registration deadline is March 28, and the first 500 volunteers to register are guaranteed an event T-shirt.

Children are encouraged to volunteer, and must be accompanied by an adult.

“This year, Trash-Off is held (during Texas A&M) Parents’ Weekend,” said Amy Reed, executive director of Keep Brazos Beautiful. “It’s a great activity for parents to get involved in with their kids.”

Litter will be collected throughout the area until about 11:30 a.m. Following the trash pick up, participants are invited to an after party at the Brazos Center in Bryan, where lunch will be served and door prizes will be given out. Also, a most unique item contest will be held, and the tin can award -- which goes to the largest participating team -- will be given out.

“The most unique item found last year was what we called the ‘binki pinki ring,’” Reed said.

“A gentleman found a gigantic plastic diamond looking ring. We always find underwear, paychecks that have not been cashed, driver’s licenses and all kinds of Aggie paraphernalia.

Each year we are excited to see what they will bring back.”

Each year volunteers say they do not realize how much trash is on the ground, even though they drive these streets every day, Reed said.

“Trash-Off allows people to get first-hand experience,” Reed said. “It’s an immediate impact on the community and allows people to be actively involved. Once you pick up someone else’s trash, you are less likely to litter.”

Last year over six tons of trash and debris was collected, more than 400 abandoned tires were picked up, and the event had over 450 volunteers.

“We want to see more volunteers this year,” Reed said. “Trash was picked up at 23 locations last year, and each area was about three miles. We removed six tons of trash over 70 miles. Imagine the difference we can make if we can double those numbers and how much we can take care of in one day.”

For more information on the event or to register visit http://keepbrazosbeautiful.org.

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How to guarantee your garden starts off on the right foot

A

s winter slowly winds down, many gardeners cannot wait to soak up the springtime sun and get their hands dirty in the garden. Such excitement is not just good for gardeners, but can benefit the garden in the months to come, as well.

Late winter or early spring is a great time to get a head start on the gardening season. Even if gardening season is still around the corner, completing the following projects can ensure your garden gets off on the right foot.

Clear debris One of the best things you can do for your garden as winter winds down is to clear it of debris. Winter can be especially harsh on a landscape, and gardens left to the elements are often filled with debris once spring arrives.

Dead leaves, fallen branches, rocks that surfaced during the winter frost, and even garbage that might have blown about in winter winds can all pile up in a garden over a typical winter. Clearing such debris likely won’t take long, but it’s a great first step toward restoring the garden before the time comes to plant and grow the garden once again.

Examine the soil Soil plays a significant role in whether a garden

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METRO CREATIVE CONNECTION

thrives or struggles. Examining the soil before the season starts can help gardeners address any issues before they plant. Ignoring the soil until a problem arises can turn the upcoming gardening season into a lost opportunity, so test the soil to determine if it has any nutrient or mineral deficiencies. This may require the help of a professional, but if a problem arises, you might be able to adjust the acidity or alkalinity of the soil and still enjoy a successful gardening season.

Another way to examine the soil is less complex but can shed light on when would be a good time to get back to work. Reach into the soil and dig out a handful. If the soil quickly crumbles, you can start preparing for gardening seasoning. But if the soil is still clumped together, it needs more time to dry out before you can begin your prep work.

Initiate edging Edging is another task gardeners can begin as they get ready for the season. Edge plant and flower beds, but be sure to use a spade with a flat blade or an edger designed to edge flower beds. Such tools will cut deep enough so grass roots that may eventually grow into the flower bed are severed. Depending on how large a

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garden is, edging can be a time-consuming task, so getting a head start allows homeowners to spend more time planting and tending to their gardens once the season hits full swing.

Fight weeds Though weeds likely have not survived the winter, that does not mean they won’t return once the weather starts to heat up. But as inevitable as weeds may seem, homeowners can take steps to prevent them from turning beautiful gardens into battlegrounds where plants, flowers and vegetables are pitted against unsightly and potentially harmful weeds.

Spring is a good time to apply a pre-emergent weed preventer, which can stop weeds before they grow. Though such solutions are not always foolproof, they can drastically reduce the likelihood of weed growth.

Though gardeners might not be able to start planting their gardens in late winter or early spring, they can still get outside and take steps to ensure their gardens thrive once planting season begins.

METRO CREATIVE CONNECTION

get kids eXcited about gardening M

any adults understand the joy of gardening, but gardening can be equally fun for children, as well.

While some adults may feel that certain children do not have the patience or perseverance to see plants grow from seeds to adulthood, selecting plants that are hardy and sprout quickly may be the key to igniting a love of gardening in children.

Choosing seeds that sprout quickly can hold the attention of children who are new to gardening. Many different plants fit this bill.

Beans, peas, sunflower seeds and bell pepper seeds are easy to start and germinate quickly. In addition, many leafy vegetables, such as chard, lettuce, spinach and mustard, germinate in three to five days. Herbs, such as basil and parsley, also sprout fast. All of these plants are good options for introducing children to gardening, as each provides quick gratification.

To further interest children, it is a good idea to plant seeds in a way that allows youngsters to monitor the progress of growth. Use a transparent container, such as rinsed-out glass jars and canisters, to house the plant. Such containers give kids an unobstructed view of the process, during which children can plot the progress of seed germination and easily spot root and stem development. Once the seedlings grow larger, they can be transplanted into different containers.

Many seedlings can sprout with water alone.

Children can easily grow new plants from

clippings of a mature plant left resting in a shallow cup of water, and seeds may not even need soil to germinate. Kids may have luck sprinkling seeds on a dampened, crumpled-up piece of paper towel. Cotton balls also make a good place to nestle seeds. Either material will hold on to water, keeping the seeds moist until they sprout. Afterward, the seedlings can be carefully moved into a soil-and-compost mix. The paper towel and the cotton balls will decompose and add to the organic matter already in the soil.

Edible plants often make good choices for children because kids can reap the rewards of their efforts. Herbs can be sprinkled onto food, or fruits and vegetables can be grown in containers and then served at mealtime. Kids can show pride in their accomplishments, especially if they have tangible results on the dinner plate.

Children who want to try something different can explore other types of plants. Aquatic plants, or those found at the pet store to grow in aquariums, can be easy to grow. They need little more than a container, fresh water and sunlight. Cacti and other succulents are also fun to explore. These plants are quite hardy in that they can stand up to moderate abuse, such as failure to water frequently enough. The unique appearance of cacti make them interesting focal points for an indoor garden.

A love of gardening that’s fostered inside can also be explored outdoors. Set aside a plot of

dirt where kids can sow their own seeds and tend to their own gardens. This hobby can help children learn patience and hard work while fostering an appreciation of nature.

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spring 2014 issue no. 1

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How to keep cats out of your garden beds C

ats make for wonderful pets, especially those that are content with life indoors, where they can spend hours lounging on a windowsill watching the world go by. But some cats spend a significant amount of time outdoors, where they forage for food and take refuge in and around a neighborhood.

Frequently, outdoor cats will return to the same place over and over again. If that place is your flower bed, you may grow aggravated by your uninvited guest.

Once a cat has found a place to call its own, it can be difficult to persuade the animal to move.

Cats can be attracted to planting beds because the soil is soft underfoot and may seem like the ideal environment to turn into an outdoor litter box. However, over time cat urine and feces can leave behind an offensive odor and damage plants. Other cats also may be attracted to the garden, creating territory “wars” or even more odor and activity. But homeowners can employ a variety of techniques to keep felines from

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digging in the garden.

• Keep leftover citrus peels. Orange, lemon and lime peels scattered around the garden may be offensive to cats, who will likely opt to go elsewhere rather than ignore the odor. Over time, the peels can be removed or allowed to break down into a natural fertilizer.

• Employ technology to surprise or startle the cats. Motion detectors that trigger lights or a sprinkler system can startle cats and keep them away from your garden.

• Make the garden uncomfortable to cats.

Many cats do not like the feeling of hard materials under their paws. Therefore, you can bury any number of items in the soil to deter padded feet. Some gardeners prefer to use chicken wire or rolled mesh around plants before covering the soil with mulch. The cats step on the dirt and feel the metal underneath, then move on. Branches, brambles, spiky holly leaves, or even rocks may keep cats from finding the garden bed hospitable.

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• Employ natural scented deterrents. Some say that cats will be repelled by human hair. Visit a salon and ask for hair clippings to distribute throughout the garden. Urine from predators, like coyotes, may scare cats off, as well. Some cats may not like the smell of marigolds, which can be planted alongside other flowers in an attempt to keep cats at bay.

• Erect barriers around the garden. Barriers can keep cats out of gardens. Erect a fence of lattice or metal to make it more difficult for cats to get inside the garden.

• Make other areas of your property more attractive to cats. Homeowners who don’t mind the presence of cats on their property but want them out of the garden can take the unusual step of making another area on the property more cat-friendly. Plant catnip far away from the garden, giving cats a place to hang out without putting your garden in jeopardy.

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Improve your home and diet with a vegetable garden

P

lanting a garden can add aesthetic appeal and functionality to a property.

Vegetable gardens can transform landscapes while putting healthy and homegrown food on the table. By growing their own fruits and vegetables, homeowners have total control over what foods can be harvested, and they can ensure sustainable, safe practices are used to care for the plants.

Vegetable gardens can be compact or expansive, depending on how much space is available to cultivate. However, first-time gardeners may want to begin small so they can hone their skills and experiment to see which plants are most likely to thrive in their gardens.

Expansion is always a possibility down the road.

Choose a location Spend some time examining your landscape.

Vegetables generally need ample warmth and sunlight to thrive, so find an area of the yard that gets several hours of direct sunlight per day.

A sunny spot is good, but you also want a location with adequate drainage so your garden does not succumb to flooding or fungus during and after heavy downpours. Don’t place the garden too close to rain gutters or near a pool, where splash-out may occur. Select a location that is isolated from pets so the plants are not trampled and cats and dogs do not relieve themselves nearby.

Decide what to plant When deciding what to plant, consider what you eat and how much produce the household

consumes, then choose vegetables that fit with your diet. Some vegetables, like peppers, tomatoes, eggplant and squash, produce throughout the season. Others, such as carrots and corn, produce one crop and then expire.

Plan accordingly when you purchase plants or seeds, as you want enough food but not so much that it will go to waste.

Choose three to four different vegetables and plant them in the garden. Select varieties that require similar soil conditions, so that you can adjust the pH and mix of the soil accordingly.

This will serve as good practice, particularly the first year of your garden. After you have mastered the basics, you can branch out into other produce.

Know when to plant Many of the foods grown in vegetable gardens, including tomatoes and peppers, are summer vegetables, which means they reach peak ripeness after the height of the summer season. Pumpkins, brussel sprouts and peas are planted to be harvested later on. These plants may be put in the ground a little later than others.

It is less expensive to start seedlings indoors and then transplant them to a garden when the time comes. Seeds can be started three to four weeks before they would be put outdoors.

Many vegetables are planted outside in April or May, but definitely after frost conditions have waned. Read seed packets to know exactly when to plant or consult with the nursery where you purchased established seedlings.

You also can visit The Garden Helper at www.

thegardenhelper.com/vegtips to find out when to plant, seed depth and how long it takes plants to reach maturity.

Vegetable gardens can become central components of outdoor home landscapes. Not only do gardens add aesthetic appeal, but also they produce fresh fruits and vegetables to enjoy throughout the season.

4

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spring 2014 issue no. 1

| 15

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How to be an

O

wning a pet is often a rewarding responsibility. Pets make for loyal friends, and for every late night walk in the cold pet owners must endure, their pets repay those gestures in spades.

While the greatest responsibility pet owners have to their pets is to ensure their furry friends live as comfortable and healthy a life as possible, pet owners also have a responsibility to the planet. Eco-conscious pet ownership can have a positive and substantial impact on the environment, and the following are a few simple ways for pet owners to care for their pets and protect the planet at the same time.

• Say so long to plastic bags. Picking up pet waste is arguably the worst part of owning a pet, and some pet owners simply want to pick up the waste without giving it a second thought.

But how pet owners pick up their pets’ waste can impact the environment. Using plastic grocery bags leftover from trips to the store is bad for the planet, as research has shown that such bags can take as long as 1,000 years to degrade. That means that plastic bag full of pet waste might still be around come the dawn of the next millenium. Instead of using plastic bags to pick up their pets’ waste, pet owners can use biodegradable waste bags made from materials

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eco-conscious pet owner

other than plastic. Such bags might not make the task of picking up pet waste more enjoyable, but they are certainly more eco-friendly, taking far less time to degrade than plastic bags.

• Embrace organic pet foods. Pet foods have evolved considerably over the last several decades, and pet owners now have more healthy options at their disposal. Organic pet foods make for healthier alternatives for pets, eliminating the buildup of residues of chemical additives, pesticides, fertilizers and herbicides in pets. Such residues have been shown to have an adverse effect on pet health. In addition, a study funded by the European Union found that organic fruits and vegetables have up to 40 percent more antioxidants than nonorganic alternatives, adding to the nutritional value of organic pet foods. Organic pet foods also are produced without the use of conventional pesticides or artificial fertilizers, benefitting the planet as a result. Before altering their pets’ diets, pet owners should consult their veterinarian for advice and tips on how to make the transition from traditional foods to organic alternatives as smooth as possible.

• Look for products made from recycled materials. More and more pet products are being made from recycled materials, and pet owners

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can encourage manufacturers to keep that trend going strong by purchasing such products whenever the opportunity to do so presents itself. Leashes, bowls, toys and scratching posts for cats are just a few of the many pet products made from recycled materials. Before buying pet products, pet owners should read labels to determine if a given product is made from recycled materials.

• Clean green. Like their human counterparts, pets need to bathe. While they might not bathe every day like their owners, pets such as cats and dogs need to be shampooed and cleaned every so often. When buying cleaning products, pet owners should look for nontoxic products.

Many traditional pet shampoos or pet beauty products are laced with chemicals, and such ingredients can have an adverse effect on pet health while also harming the environment.

Nontoxic grooming products can still give pets’ coats a beautiful shine, but they do so without taking a toll on the planet or the animal’s health.

Pet ownership is a significant responsibility, and pet owners should recognize that part of that responsibility involves caring for their pets in an eco-friendly way.

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for your health

M

aintaining physical and mental health and adopting an ecofriendly lifestyle can go hand-inhand. Many elements of “going green” can benefit people looking to keep themselves healthy. Here are some ways to go green and benefit your overall health.

Skip the disposable bottled water. Bottled water may be convenient, but some estimates suggest that 38 billion disposable plastic bottles end up in landfills every year. And that’s just in the United States. In addition, water that is housed inside of plastic bottles may end up being contaminated with some of the chemicals used in the plastic bottle composition, particularly if the bottles are left in hot cars or left out in hot weather.

Reusable bottles filled with filtered water may improve your health and reduce landfill waste.

Pack a lunch. Rather than heading to a take-out restaurant or fast-food drivethrough, bring lunch to school or work.

You will have greater control over the foods you include and can reduce packaging waste in the process. If you are particularly environmentally conscious, you can opt for organic and locally grown foods.

Walk or bike more. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention says that more than one-third of American adults are obese. The situation is not much different in Canada, where obesity and overweight statistics tend to mirror what is occurring in the United States. A sedentary lifestyle that leans heavily on automobiles to get around may be contributing to these obesity rates.

Skipping the exhaust-spouting automobile

in lieu of walking or biking around the neighborhood can vastly improve personal health and the environment.

Carry reusable tote bags in your purse or briefcase. When shopping or running errands, use reusable tote bags instead of plastic bags. Reusable bags are more ecofriendly, and carrying nonperishable items around will give your arms and body a workout.

Indulge in a glass of organic wine.

Organic wine is made from grapes grown without synthetic pesticides or chemical fertilizers. Also, organic wines should not contain sulfites to stabilize the wine during transportation. Red wine contains powerful antioxidants known as polyphenols as well as resveratrol, which, according to The Mayo Clinic, has been linked to preventing damage to blood vessels and helping to reduce “bad” cholesterol. Resveratrol also may help reduce inflammation and blood clotting that can lead to heart disease. Just be sure your alcohol consumption is moderate.

Choose organic foods. Organic foods, or those grown without chemical pesticides and herbicides, have fewer chemicals that can harm the body and the environment.

Get outdoors and turn off your electronics. Spend several hours or a day away from the tablet, phone and computer.

Head outdoors and enjoy recreation in the fresh air. You will get more exercise and save energy.

Trade for exercise equipment. Look for swap sites and garage sales to pick up exercise equipment for less money. Buying local reduces fuel consumption, and you might

just save a lot of money along the way.

Enjoy nature to unwind and lose weight.

Head outdoors and relax by meditating. Some studies have found that overweight women who performed daily relaxation techniques lost an average of 10 pounds after 18 months, without consciously dieting. Stress may cause a person to turn to food for comfort.

There are many different ways people can get healthy and help the environment in doing so.

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spring 2014 issue no. 1

| 17

Small ways to make a positive impact on the environment

L

iving an eco-friendly lifestyle is a choice that can pay dividends for years to come.

Future generations and the planet those generations inhabit can benefit significantly from the efforts of their eco-conscious ancestors.

But while the benefits of living eco-friendly lifestyles are substantial and long-lasting, the effort to initiate such lifestyles need not be so significant.

Men and women who want to leave a healthy planet for future generations can do so by making a host of relatively minor adjustments to their daily lives.

Embrace cloth bags. Plastic grocery bags are very convenient, but they are not very ecofriendly. Such bags are often discarded after use, leading to unnecessary waste, and the effort and energy it takes to manufacture and ship such bags is wasteful. Reusable cloth bags are a much more eco-friendly alternative to traditional paper or plastic grocery bags, and these bags can be taken along on trips to the grocery store and

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on shopping trips to the mall or other retailers.

Designate certain bags for the grocery store and others for shopping trips to the mall. This can drastically reduce the energy it takes to produce and ship plastic bags, especially when shoppers consider just how many plastic bags they discard over the course of a typical year.

Use reusable items. Cloth bags are not the only items that can be reused. Items such as paper plates, paper napkins and plastic cups are often taken for granted, but these items can only be used once. Over time, heavy usage of these items can add up to a significant amount of waste for landfills, and the production and transportation of such items is significant and wasteful. Men and women can reduce this impact by only relying on reusable items, such as washable plates, cloth napkins and glass or plastic drinking glasses. It might mean a few extra dishes in the sink each night, but the benefit of these products is well worth the effort.

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Stop wasting water. Many people, knowingly or unknowingly, are guilty of wasting water.

Homeowners may forget to turn off their automatic sprinklers on rainy days, while many people may keep the faucet running while brushing their teeth. Make an effort to reduce your water usage. Even something as simple as taking shorter showers in the morning can reduce your individual water consumption by thousands of gallons over the course of a typical year.

Pay it forward. Perhaps the best way to make a positive impact on the environment for years to come is to instill a sense of environmental responsibility in your children. Explain to youngsters why you’re bringing cloth bags to the grocery store and why you turn the faucet off when brushing your teeth. Kids who learn to live an eco-friendly lifestyle at a young age will carry that way of life with them as they grow older, benefitting the planet for generations to come.

METRO CREATIVE CONNECTION

Eco-friendly lawn care can be easy

H

omeowners know that a healthy lawn can add considerable curb appeal to a property while giving residents of the home a place to relax and enjoy the great outdoors. But few might know that a healthy lawn can also benefit the environment, especially when homeowners take a proactive approach to lawn care that emphasizes eco-friendly techniques.

A proactive approach to lawn care can prevent certain problems, including disease, insect infestation and weed growth. When such problems arise, many homeowners opt to combat them with pesticides, which can harm the environment. But a proactive approach to lawn care can reduce the likelihood of developing such problems and protect the planet at the same time.

• Emphasize healthy soil. Healthy soil promotes strong roots, which leads to a more robust, lush and aesthetically appealing lawn. While a lawn needs to be fertilized in the spring and at various points throughout the summer, it’s important that homeowners avoid overfertilization, which can create thatch that, when allowed to thicken, will prevent nutrients from penetrating the soil. Lawns need more nitrogen, phosphorous and potassium than soil can typically provide, so fertilizing

throughout the warm weather seasons and into early fall can promote a healthy lawn. But choose a slow-release fertilizer so it gradually feeds the lawn.

Compost and grass clippings can also be spread around the lawn to promote healthy soil. The pH level of the soil should also be checked to ensure the lawn can fully absorb nutrients. Speak with a local lawn care professional to determine what a healthy pH level is for soil in your area.

• Choose a grass that can thrive in your climate. Though you might prefer the look of a certain grass, choosing a grass based entirely on appearance is a mistake that could cost you money and prove harmful to the environment. When installing a new lawn, opt for one that’s suitable to the local climate. Installing a lawn that needs substantial amounts of water in a region known for drought can rob the lawn of its aesthetic appeal and will cost homeowners a substantial amount of money to maintain. If an existing lawn struggles to stay green regardless of your best efforts, then consider replacing it with a new type of grass that might be more suited to the local climate.

• Don’t cut too low when mowing.

Homeowners who don’t enjoy mowing their lawn might be tempted to simply cut the grass as low

as possible to extend the intervals between cuts.

But the United States Environmental Protection Agency recommends that grass never be cut more than one-third of the height of the grass blades.

Longer grass can take in more sunlight, allowing it to grow in thicker and develop a deeper root system. That deep root system can help a lawn survive drought and prevent disease, two potentially costly problems that often force homeowners to embrace solutions that are not eco-friendly. Ideal lawn height depends on the type of grass, so consult a lawn care professional to ensure you are cutting your grass to a healthy length.

• Avoid overwatering. Excessive watering not only wastes water, which is not very eco-friendly, but also hurts the lawn when dry periods inevitably arrive. That’s because shallow and frequent watering encourages roots to stay near the surface, so when dry periods arrive, the roots struggle to find water.

The EPA notes that an established lawn should not need daily watering. Instead, watering responsibly when the lawn needs water and when evaporation can be kept to a minimum, can strengthen a lawn and do so in an eco-friendly way.

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spring 2014 issue no. 1

| 19

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How to usher your office into the

eco-friendly era

Ensuring employees turn their computers off at the end of the workday is one way companies can become more eco-friendly.

T

echnology continues to advance at a rapid pace, with once groundbreaking ideas and devices becoming obsolete in what seems like the blink of an eye. Despite such advancements, many professional environments are still consuming far more energy than is necessary, proving that there is still progress to be made with regard to how we use technology and protect the planet.

According to the Environmental Protection Agency, 30 percent of energy consumed by office buildings is used inefficiently, while the Energy Star program notes that 17 percent of greenhouse gas emissions come from commercial buildings’ energy use. That leaves ample opportunity for those who

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want to usher their offices into the eco-friendly era to make changes that will conserve energy.

• Consider new lighting.

Energy Star notes that lighting is typically the most costly portion of many companies’ monthly electric bills, and that’s often because lighting is so often used in an inefficient manner. But flipping switches at the end of each day is not the only way business owners or office managers can cut their lighting costs. Many companies prefer to have lights on overnight for security purposes, but motion detection lighting systems are more eco-friendly and can pay for themselves over the long haul by reducing energy costs. Such systems will only turn on when movement is detected in the

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building. This saves owners the cost of illuminating empty offices overnight but still enables them to protect buildings with lights in the case of break-ins.

• Encourage workers to put their computers to sleep when they are away from their desks.

Screen savers might be aesthetically appealing, but that beauty comes at a steep price, as screen savers use the same amount of energy while you’re away as the computer does while you are hard at work.

The United States Department of Energy suggests that companies hoping to make their office environments more eco-friendly should encourage workers to put their computers to sleep when they will be away from their desks for 20 minutes or more. When the workday is done, workers can turn their computers off completely to save even more energy.

• Reduce paper consumption.

Hard copy documents are increasingly going the way of the dinosaur, and that’s a good thing for businesses who want to be more eco-friendly. In lieu of storing hard copy documents in filing cabinets or other antiquated storing systems, companies can encourage employees to store files digitally in

easily accessible folders on their computers or on company servers.

Internal memos need not be printed out and distributed as hard copies when it’s just as easy and far less taxing on the environment to share such memos via email.

Reducing reliance on hard copy documents can drastically reduce paper consumption and free up space around the office.

• Plug leaks. Much like homeowners can save substantial amounts of money by plugging leaks around windows and doorways, businesses also can cut energy costs by identifying and plugging leaks. In fact, the DOE estimates that taking care of air leaks can save businesses as much as 10 percent off their energy costs.

Make sure air ducts and filters are routinely cleaned to ensure heating and cooling systems are operating at optimal efficiency.

Many business owners and office managers have been slow to embrace various eco-friendly strategies that can benefit the planet and their bottom lines. But as technology continues to advance at a rapid pace, the opportunities for businesses to become more eco-friendly continue to evolve, as well.

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What are

consignment shops?

Shopping at consignment stores or using their stores to sell some of your items is a great way to make good use of older merchandise.

C

onsignment stores have grown in popularity in recent years, particularly among bargain hunters.

In addition to offering great deals, such shops also buy clothing, giving shoppers a chance to make a little money when retiring previously used clothing or merchandise.

Although thrift stores and consignment shops seem similar, there are differences between their business models. Thrift stores accept donated merchandise and sell it as their own for profit. The person who has donated the merchandise receives no compensation, although he or she may be eligible for a tax deduction depending on the size of the donation.

Consignment stores act as third-party sellers, or consignees. The individual bringing in the merchandise — the consignor — is the rightful owner of any items at the consignment store until the point of sale.

He or she negotiates a contract with the consignment store that indicates how profits of items sold will be split. The store will keep a percentage of the money, while the person whose items have been sold will get a share, as well. Should the items not be sold within a certain period of time, they can be returned to the original owner.

Many consignment stores specialize in a particular type of merchandise. This enables them to keep a specific stock and carefully limit their inventories. Antiques are quite popular at consignment shops, as are household items and designer clothing. Some consignment shops specialize in baby items,

as such items turn over quickly. Some car dealerships will sell vehicles on consignment, as well.

Visiting a consignment store is not only cost-effective, but also an environmentally friendly way to shop for or dispose of items that still have utility. Many items at consignment stores are in excellent

condition. For example, clothing on sale at such stores may only have been worn a few times.

Consignment stores present an excellent way to clear out unused items and make some money in the process. They also can be places shoppers turn to for discounts on items that have been gently used.

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www.bryantso.com spring 2014 issue no. 1

| 21

1729 Briarcrest, Bryan, Texas 77802 Publisher, Crystal Dupré Director of Sales and Marketing, Ron Prince Display Advertising Manager, Linda Brinkman 979.731.4719  linda.brinkman@theeagle.com Creative Services Manager, Jim Bob McKown 979.731.4706  jimbob@theeagle.com Special Projects Editor, Shauna Lewis 979.731.4704  shauna.lewis@theeagle.com

Next publication: Thursday, Jun. 26, 2014

Special Section Coordinator, Erika Liesman 979.731.4738  erika.leisman@theeagle.com

Advertising Deadline: Thursday, May 23, 2014

Publication Designer, Courtney Lewellen For questions or comments, please call: 979.731.4738

To get your advertisement in Bryan-College Station’s most distributed health and lifestyles magazine, e-mail livesmart@theeagle.com or call 979.731.4738.

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7

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fast ways to go green today

Individuals may not be able to reverse global climate change on their own, nor can one person working alone prevent a species of animal from becoming extinct. But collective efforts in which communities make concerted efforts to protect the planet have the potential to bring about significant change.

Such efforts need not even be extensive. When widely adopted, the following ways to go green can benefit the environment in myriad ways, and each is rather easy to adopt.

1

2

Sort the trash. A substantial amount of household waste can be recycled, but too frequently people throw out things in haste. Cans, bottles, aluminum foil, paper bags, plastic bags and plastic containers can be recycled or put to use in other ways. When you examine things that end up in the garbage, you may find that such items have utility elsewhere. Take a few minutes to analyze if something can be reused before tossing it out.

Carpool to school or work.

Carpooling greatly reduces wear and tear on vehicles and can reduce the need for costly repairs while saving fuel. Tufts University professor William Moomaw, co-author of the latest “Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change” report, calculated that if American commuters would carpool for just one day per week, they could significantly reduce America’s carbon emissions by 2050. Carpooling to school and work also cuts down on the number of vehicles on the road during times of gridlock, reducing the propensity for accidents and traffic jams.

Did you know?

F

ound in rock, soil, water, natural gas, and some building materials, radon is a radioactive gas. Exposure to radon can cause cancer. Radon can seep in through the foundation of a home or building built on radon-contaminated soil. Inhabitants of homes contaminated with radon or those who work in buildings where radon

3

Buy local products. Purchasing locally grown foods or products produced nearby reduces the need to transport those products while cutting back on packaging, as well. Visit farmers’ markets on the weekend to stock up on items used for meals during the week. This will greatly lower your energy footprint, and you won’t have to spend much time traveling for your meals.

Leaky fixtures can waste significant amounts of water.

4

Turn off a few lights. There is no need to have every room in the house illuminated, especially when those rooms are unoccupied.

Consciously turn off the lights, televisions, radios and other electronics after you leave a room to cut down on energy usage.

6

Turn down the thermostat on your water heater. A standard water heater is set to 140 degrees F, but many people do not need water that hot. Turn it down a few degrees, and you’ll save energy and reduce the risk of scalding.

5

Plant native greenery. Trees, shrubs and other plants improve air quality while providing a home to wildlife. Plants produce oxygen and store carbon, helping to control greenhouse gases and keep the atmosphere cooler. Plant more trees or other plants around the house, which helps the environment and adds some aesthetic appeal to your property. Choose native plants that will thrive in your climate.

7

Fix plumbing leaks. Leaky toilets can waste a substantial amount of water, some as much as 200 gallons per day. Fixing leaky toilets as well as any faucets around the house can help conserve energy and save money on your monthly water bill.

Going green doesn’t involve a large investment of time or money. A variety of small changes can be effective when a good number of people do their part.

has seeped in may be at a greater risk of developing cancer than those who do not live or work in such buildings. According to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, radon is responsible for about 21,000 deaths from lung cancer each year in the United States alone, and roughly 1 out of every 15 homes in the U.S. has unsafe levels of radon. Radon is most often found in basements because the gas sinks to the lowest points in buildings. However, even those homes or buildings without basements

can have unsafe levels of radon. Property owners should have their homes or buildings tested for radon, as exposure to radon does not produce any symptoms, meaning those who live and work in buildings where they are being exposed to radon won’t know unless buildings are routinely tested.

Kits to test radon levels can be purchased at many hardware stores, or property owners can hire professionals to conduct tests for them.

spring 2014 issue no. 1

| 23

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